Daily Journal Names Cheryl Orr a 2026 ‘Top Labor & Employment Lawyer’

Labor and employment partner and San Francisco office leader Cheryl Orr was named by the Daily Journal as one of the “Top Labor & Employment Lawyers” for 2026. The Daily Journal annually recognizes attorneys who have made significant contributions to labor and employment law. This is the twelfth time she’s been recognized on the list.

In her feature profile, the Daily Journal highlights Orr's nearly four decades of management-side employment law practice and her focus on defending employers in wage and hour class, collective and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) matters. Reflecting on her career, Orr shared "I was drawn to employment law because of the people-oriented aspect… I knew I'd never get bored!" The profile also notes that a series of large Fair Labor Standards Act collective actions early in her career helped shape her practice and sparked her continuing interest in complex employment litigation.

The profile goes on to highlight recent successes, including prevailing on summary judgment in a retaliation lawsuit and resolving a threatened national FLSA collective action. Reflecting on her longstanding relationships with clients, Orr noted, "We have had the good fortune of driving results that allow us to work with them for many years."

Orr also discussed changes she has observed in the employment litigation landscape, including the growing use of artificial intelligence by pro se plaintiffs and former employees to develop legal strategies and draft pleadings. While acknowledging AI's impact, Orr emphasized the importance of experience, preparation and strong client relationships. "They forget that their searches could be discoverable. We rely on our knowledge and own resources (including AI) to combat their approaches," she said.

The full list of honorees and feature profiles are available to Daily Journal subscribers.